Rigatoni al Segreto (Rigatoni with Secret Sauce)

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup diced onion
• 1 teaspoon salt , plus more to taste
• 2 cloves garlic , or more to taste
• 1 pinch red pepper flakes
• 1 can San Marzano , 28 ounce
• 0.5 cups water , to rinse out can of tomatoes
• 1 package uncooked rigatoni pasta , 8 ounce
• 0.5 cups fresh basil leaves , thinly sliced
• 4 tablespoons cold butter , cubed
• 1 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese , plus more for serving

Instructions

1. 1

   Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion and salt. Cook until no longer white and starting to turn translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic; cook about 1 minute. Add red pepper flakes, then blended tomatoes with water. Bring to a simmer; adjust heat to medium or medium-low. Simmer gently, stirring occasionally, for 45 to 60 minutes. Reduce heat to low.

2. 2

   Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook rigatoni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes (5 minutes from doneness).

3. 3

   Add about 2/3 of the basil to the sauce. Stir in butter. When butter melts, add cheese in 3 increments.

4. 4

   Drain pasta; transfer to sauce. Stir until rigatoni are evenly coated with sauce. Serve sprinkled with the remaining basil and a dusting of grated cheese.